Artist trading card swap

Leonie has had a brilliant idea for the 'do' on Saturday and I am really excited! I have shamelessly ripped the text and pictures from her blog as she has explained her idea so beautifully and anyway I am quite busy- especially as I have just added- 'make ATC' to my list of jobs! 'I've also decided we should have an ATC Trading Post. There will be a table were I will start the ball rolling with a selection of ATCs ready to be traded. Bring along your ATCs and then you can either swap one of yours for one on the table, or see if a fellow ATCer is around, so you can trade face to face. Bring your trades in a bag with a big sign on it that displays proudly you are looking to trade your art work. If you are not familiar with ATC's then the basic rules are:* ATCs should be 2.5" x 3.5"* On the back of your ATC you should have your name and some kind of contact details (address, email, blog or phone number)* Your ATC can be decorated using anything - the world is your oyster! Be as adventurous or safe as you please, all ATCs of all levels are welcome And why would you do an ATC? What's the point? Well..........ATCs are for trading only, not selling. When you start collecting ATCs you build up a fantastic range of inspiration and idea's - the beauty of these little works of art are you can contact the artist, so if you would like to know how something has been made, or what has been used then you can. You can also ask people to trade with you if you particularly like their work. Trading can be done face to face, via clubs or through the various ATC groups on the net. You meet some lovely people, who already share your creative passion, what better way to spark a friendship. Also, if you are already a card addict, then this is the perfect excuse for you to craft until your hearts content!'

How cool is that? Leonie and I will be putting out some bits and bobs on the colouring table so if you won't have chance to make an ATC to swap before Saturday you'll be able to do one on the day! Swaps will run from around Leonies stand in the main hall.

I have heard from the guildhall that we will indeed be able to use the forecourt to extend the event outside. I am really pleased about this, it makes the 'do' very visible in the town and everyone who drives around the one way system will come straight past! I have five confirmed stall holders for the forecourt and an ice cream seller. I have room for one more so if you fancy a day in the sunshine do let me know.

I am so excited about Saturday and am just making sure everything is in place for a brilliant day. I still have some slots un-filled for supervising the colouring/ATC table and also for meeting and greeting at the information station. Do let me know if you can spare an hour.

Let them eat cake

I don't know if I mentioned it here or on my personal blog but Search Press were good enough to send me the book '20 to make- knitted cakes' so that I could knit some stunt cakes to promote the 'd0' and to display on the day with a sign directing people to the real cake. I made a Swiss roll and realised that getting a decent display made might take a while. Search Press came to the rescue once again offering that I could borrow the sample cakes that were made for the photographs in the book. They arrived along with some mad and brilliant tea cosies, 60 brochures for the goodie bags complete with vouchers for money off the first order.

I just know this is all going to look ace on the day, and Paulines real cakes they taste just as good as these look!

I spent some time last week visiting Sandwich businesses. I handed out posters for display and asked if people wanted fliers in the bags. It was really good to chat about the 'do' and people were really excited. We have an amazing house and garden in Sandwich in the 'Salutation'. I have leaflets from them to go in the goodie bags and they have agreed to hand out our fliers to everyone from their ticket booth. If it is a nice day (fingers crossed) I think a visit to the 'do' and the gardens would make a brilliant day out and well worth a little drive!

I am waiting to hear whether we will be able to put stalls on the guildhall forecourt if we can this adds a whole new dimension to the do and would give a very visible presence in the town. I have no more fingers left to cross!

The venue

This is the Sandwich Guildhall which has been booked, and a deposit paid as the venue for the 'Makey do'. Part of the building is very old and is used for wedding and other ceremonies. We will be using the modern extension which has a lift and floor to ceiling windows for excellent natural light. In the summer the forecourt is bustling with people. The bus stop for the town is here and there is a chip shop so plenty of people enjoying an al fresco lunch. There is a very large pay and display car park at the rear of the building and from here to the town people pass through the alley in the building and therefore past the main entrance to the event. Sandwich is so picturesque, and I'm getting more takers for tables every week. I am looking for a volunteer stall holder to be my first 'interview-ee', I would like to have a picture of you, but a least some nice images of the sort of thing you'll be bringing with you. Fancy it?